MPs allege "systematic erosion" of autonomy of institutions

A number of Parliamentarians today expressed "grave concern" over what they alleged was a "systematic erosion" of the autonomy of the institutions of higher education and urged President Pranab Mukherjee to take measures to prevent them from "lasting damage".
In an apparent attack on the HRD Ministry, headed by BJP leader Smriti Irani, the MPs, all from Rajya Sabha said several recent incidents concerning IITs and other higher education institutions had left them "greatly disturbed".
The MPs -- Rajeev Shukla of Congress, D P Tripathi of NCP, D Raja of CPI and K C Tyagi of JD(U) -- said this in a joint statement issued today.

"Whether it is the attack on persons of integrity and proven competence who head prestigious institutions such as IITs or central universities or distinguished personalities involved in the selection process, no one is being spared," they alleged.
"The autonomy and self-regulatory mechanism of institutions of higher education are being systematically eroded and damaged," the statement claimed.
The MPs apparently referred to incidents involving distinguished scientist Anil Kakodkar, IIT-Delhi Director Raghunath K Shevgaonkar, whose resignation is yet to be accepted, and Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh.
Kakodkar had recently quit the selection panel for appointing three IIT directors and as the head of the Board of Governors of IIT Mumbai, but later withdrew it. Singh is also being probed by the ministry.

"We call upon the President to exercise his wisdom to prevent lasting damage to some great institutions such as IITs or the universities of eminence," they said.